February 21, 2018 /
KBJR6.com (Duluth)

By Billy Wagness

DULUTH, MN –

A poll released Wednesday says 77 percent of Minnesota Power customers are overwhelmingly against a proposed multimillion dollar power plant in Superior.

The poll was conducted by the non-profit consumer advocacy group Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota.

Spokespeople say, of the 552 Minnesota Power customers surveyed, 92 percent also support a full analysis of all energy options available before anything is constructed.

Minnesota Power and Dairyland Power Cooperative have proposed the construction of a $700 million natural gas power plant which would be built in Superior sometime after 2020.  MN Power would purchase half of the plant to the tune of $350 million.

“We’re releasing results of a poll that found people were very concerned about their bills increasing,” says Annie Levenson-Falk, Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board, “and very concerned that Minnesota Power make sure that they consider every possible alternative for the gas plant before they invest $350 million of customers’ money.”

MN Power is critical of the poll, and says the plant would actually save customers money on their power bills.